New restaurant opens in place of Governor’s

SOUTH PORTLAND — Governor’s Restaurant, a 50-year old family chain based in Old Town, has closed its South Portland location Oct. 30 after 15 years, though the restaurant was almost immediately reopened under different ownership.

Now the new restaurant, which is featuring much the same fare as Governor’s and is line for a renovation, is in need of a name.

“Right now, were still searching for the perfect name,” Greg Goforth, general manager of the Merry Manor Best Western Inn, which houses the restaurant. “We’re just calling it the Merry Manor Restaurant right now. So, if anybody in the community has a good idea, please let us know.”

Goforth said he was notified “a few months ago” that Governor’s would not renew the lease on its franchise agreement.

“We ended up not being open for Sunday dinner, but we opened up the same as usual the next morning at 6:30,” he said. “Our primary concern was to service our existing [banquet] contracts. We kept a lot of the same staff that was here, so it really was quite seamless.”

The menu is much the same – with a bit more emphasis on steaks and seafood in addition the Governor’s comfort-food fare – and the 14-member crew will be familiar to regulars. Only “about four or five” people still on staff at the changeover chose not to remain, said Goforth, adding that most already had plans to transition out with the slower winter season.

Goforth said the new restaurant hopes to serve the community as well as hotel patrons. Owned by Bangor-based Lafayette Hotels, which operates 25 hotels in Maine, including the Augusta’s Senator Inn and the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, the Merry Manor plans a $500,000 overhaul of its restaurant.

Goforth said that in addition to updating mechanical systems and renovating the dining room and banquet halls, the Merry Manor will put in large-screen TVs and a bar with several local beers on tap, in an effort to broaden its appeal as a neighborhood destination.

“It should be a really nice place to stop and have a beer on the way home from work,” said Goforth, predicting a summertime staff of 35 – slightly more than Governor’s peak numbers.

“I’m a little more ambitious,” said Goforth. “I think we’ll be busy. We’re really excited.”

“We both regret the closing of the restaurant and the effect it will have on staff and guests,” said Randy Wadleigh, Governor’s CEO. “But I’m grateful to the owners of the Merry Manor Inn who have offered to rehire all 32 Governor’s employees at the renovated facility.”

Wadleigh, son of founders Leith and Donna Wadleigh, said a decision was made to not renew the restaurant’s lease at the Merry Manor, located just off the Interstate 95 exit on Main Street.

“At this point, we’re more focused on the market north of Lewiston,” he said, Wednesday. “We’re interested in the Augusta and Ellsworth areas.”

Lafayette Hotels COO Peter Daigle said his company will continue its relationship with Governor’s at the Fireside Inn and Suites in Waterville. “We thank Governor’s for being a great tenant,” he said.

Wadleigh said Governor’s will honor gift cards and coupons purchased at the South Portland store at any of the chain’s five remaining locations, in Bangor, Lewiston, Old Town, Presque Isle and Waterville.